School phrases

Teachers are called 선생님 (seonsaengnim). You can add a surname, as in 김 선생님 (Gim seonsaengnim), but students usually just say 선생님. Always use polite speech with teachers. Some students use the casual shortening 쌤 (ssaem) with teachers they feel close to.

Call a university professor 교수님 (gyosunim). Emails usually begin with '○○○ 교수님께,' 'To Professor ○○○.' Calling a professor 선생님 can sound slightly off, so 교수님 is the right choice. If you want to meet outside class, it is polite to request an appointment by email first.

수업 (sueop) means a class or lesson. You might hear 수업이 몇 시에 끝나요? (sueobi myeot sie kkeunnayo?), 'What time does class end?' or 오늘 수업 없어요 (oneul sueop eopseoyo), 'I have no classes today.' At universities, 강의 (gangui), 'lecture,' is also very common.

숙제 (sukje) usually means homework in elementary, middle and high school. At university, assignments such as reports and presentations are more often called 과제 (gwaje). Submitting an assignment is 과제 제출 (gwaje jechul), and the deadline is 제출 기한 (jechul gihan).

An exam is 시험 (siheom). The midterm is 중간고사 (junggangosa) and the final is 기말고사 (gimalgosa). A short quiz may simply be called 퀴즈 (kwijeu). To wish someone luck, say 시험 잘 봐! (siheom jal bwa!), 'Do well on your exam!' Taking a test is expressed as 시험을 보다 (siheomeul boda).

출석 (chulseok) means attendance. When the teacher calls names, it is 출석을 부르다 (chulseogeul bureuda), and students answer 네 (ne), 'Here.' At universities, attendance often counts toward the grade. Being absent is 결석 (gyeolseok), and being late is 지각 (jigak).

학번 (hakbeon) literally means student ID number, but at universities it also refers to your year of entry. Someone who entered in 2024 is a '24학번' (isipsa hakbeon). It often determines senior and junior relationships. New acquaintances frequently ask 몇 학번이에요? (myeot hakbeonieyo?), 'What year did you enter?'

동기 (donggi) is someone who entered your school or company in the same year as you. Even if you are different ages, you are 동기 if you started together. 동기 often become close and support each other. You will hear 입학 동기 (iphak donggi) for classmates and 입사 동기 (ipsa donggi) for coworkers who joined together.

MT, pronounced 엠티 (emti), is a short trip, often overnight, taken by a department or club to build friendships. It is commonly said to come from 'Membership Training.' Students play games, cook and eat together. Many groups hold one early in the semester to welcome new students.

개강 (gaegang) is the start of a semester's classes, and 종강 (jonggang) is the end. University students often joke about dreading 개강 and counting down to 종강. A party to celebrate the end of the semester is a 종강 파티 (jonggang pati). School vacation is 방학 (banghak).

휴강 (hyugang) means a class is canceled, usually due to the professor's or school's circumstances. 오늘 휴강이래! (oneul hyugangirae!), 'Class is canceled today!' is welcome news for students. Notices usually come through the school system or messages. A make-up class is called 보강 (bogang).

Raise your hand and say 질문 있어요 (jilmun isseoyo) or 질문이 있습니다 (jilmuni itseumnida), 'I have a question.' Calling 선생님 or 교수님 first is more polite. If it's hard to ask during class, approach afterward and say 잠깐 여쭤봐도 될까요? (jamkkan yeojjwobwado doelkkayo?), 'May I ask you something?'

학식 (haksik) is short for 학생 식당 (haksaeng sikdang), the student cafeteria, or the food served there. Meals are usually relatively affordable, so students eat there often. Friends might say 학식 먹으러 가자 (haksik meogeureo gaja), 'Let's go eat at the cafeteria.' Some schools have a separate staff cafeteria.

동아리 (dongari) is a student club for people with shared hobbies or interests, such as dance, music, sports or volunteering. At the start of each semester, clubs hold recruiting events where you can sign up. Many students form lasting friendships with seniors and juniors they meet through their club.

수강 신청 (sugang sincheong) is course registration, when university students sign up for classes before the semester. Popular classes fill up fast, so students often compete the moment registration opens, which is why some call it a 'registration war.' Dates and procedures vary, so check your school's official notices.

Korean schools and universities usually start the first semester in March, and the second semester begins from late August to around September, depending on the school. There are summer and winter vacations, and winter break is often longer. A semester is 학기 (hakgi). Exact dates differ by school, so check the academic calendar of the school you're interested in.

The short break between classes is 쉬는 시간 (swineun sigan), literally 'resting time.' Lunch break is 점심시간 (jeomsimsigan). During breaks, students often go to the school snack shop or chat with friends. The same terms are used at private academies, too.

The class representative is 반장 (banjang), and the vice representative is 부반장 (bubanjang). The 반장 often passes messages between the teacher and classmates. The student body president is 학생회장 (haksaenghoejang). These terms come up often in dramas and webtoons set in schools.

수능 (suneung) is short for 대학수학능력시험 (daehak suhak neungnyeok siheom), Korea's national college entrance exam. It is usually held in November, and society adjusts on test day; for example, public offices and companies are asked to start work later. Test takers are cheered with 수능 대박 나세요 (suneung daebak naseyo), 'Ace the exam!' Check official announcements for exact dates.

팀플 (timpeul) is short for 'team project,' and means a group assignment. It is also called 조별 과제 (jobyeol gwaje). Students usually divide roles and prepare a presentation together. Stories about teammates who never reply to messages are a classic joke among Korean university students.